Initia: Building a Full-Chain Rollup Ecosystem for Web3

With the rise of modular public chains, the blockchain ecosystem is experiencing explosive growth. Data shows that there are currently 53 L2 public chains operating in the market, with another 42 under development. Although these public chains cater to diverse needs for different scenarios, they also bring about issues such as complexity and fragmentation.

Against this backdrop, the modular project Initia launched by the Cosmos ecosystem has garnered widespread attention. Inspired by Apple’s design philosophy, Initia aims to make blockchain as user-friendly and integrated as iPhone applications, providing users with an intuitive and interconnected blockchain application experience. The product suite of Initia includes multi-chain browsers, wallet tools, cross-chain bridges, application platforms, and on-chain identity systems, aiming to build a unified and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem.

Currently, the Initia testnet has been launched, and the first round of airdrop plans has begun. It is expected that after completing the testing, Initia will officially launch its mainnet in the third quarter of this year. Its innovative design and complete ecosystem are expected to reshape the blockchain landscape in the Web3 era.

The Core Team and Vision of Initia

Initia was founded by experienced crypto experts Zon and Stan Liu, and the team has grown to 20 members. The founders have extensive experience in building large-scale DApps in ecosystems such as Cosmos, Terra, and Ethereum. Zon served as the Chief Architect and CTO at Chain and Ripple, while Stan Liu is a seasoned developer in the Ethereum ecosystem.

In October 2023, Initia completed its pre-seed financing and established partnerships with investors. In February 2024, it secured an additional $7.5 million in seed round funding, led by Delphi Ventures and Hack VC, with participation from well-known angel investors. These funds will be used to promote the development of Initia's infrastructure, expand product tools, and incubate key application projects.

Initia aims to provide users with a clear and unified full-chain Rollup ecosystem by integrating modular L1 and dedicated L2. It brings together the advantages of multiple mainstream public chains, creating a scalable and efficient application ecosystem for developers and users. Developers can quickly build cross-chain applications, while users can seamlessly enjoy a variety of services such as DeFi, GameFi, and Social without frequently switching public chains.

Initia's Technical Architecture and Product Matrix

Initia adopts a layered modular design, integrating innovative L1 with specific application L2 infrastructure, reconstructing the entire tech stack. Its architecture is mainly divided into four modules:

1. Initial Layer (L1): The main chain network is responsible for coordinating the entire ecosystem, ensuring essential functions such as security, liquidity, routing, and cross-chain interoperability. A combined consensus mechanism of PoS and PoA is adopted to achieve efficient confirmation and dynamic adjustment.

2. Initia Rollups (L2): An independent "Minitia" network focused on specific application scenarios. Each Minitia is a fully functional CosmosSDK chain, supporting high throughput, fast block generation, and integrating various virtual machines and advanced features.

3. OPinit Stack: An OP framework built on CosmosSDK that supports secure extensions across EVM, MoveVM, and WebAssembly, providing developers with flexible options.

4. Interoperability/Bridge Middleware: Includes IBC protocol and TBA Bridge Provider, enabling seamless asset and data transfer between different blockchains.

To simplify the experience for users and developers, Initia also provides a complete set of product tools:

• InitiaScan: Multi-chain Interactive Browsing Platform
• Wallet Widget: Front-end entry for cross-chain wallet signing
• Bridget: Cross-chain asset bridging and deposit services
• Initia Application: A centralized platform for ecological resources and services
• Initia Username System: Simplified Account Address Access
• Initia Wallet: Unified Asset Management Center

Initia Eco Popular Projects

With the launch of the Initia testnet and the start of the airdrop plan, some highly anticipated ecological projects are gradually emerging:

1. Blackwing: A modular blockchain that enables non-liquidation leveraged trading of long-tail assets through an "infinite pool". It has completed $4.5 million in financing and the TVL on the testnet has surpassed $50 million.

2. Tucana: A multifunctional L2 network centered around intentions, aimed at unifying and optimizing the trading experience within modular networks. It is regarded as a one-stop platform for the future of modular trading.

3. Controrg: An innovative trading infrastructure project that builds the GLOB chain. It adopts a progressive "order flow" execution mechanism to achieve true price fairness.

4. MilkyWay: A liquid staking solution for the Celestia ecosystem. Completed $5 million in funding, with over 156,000 users and $26.5 million in TVL.

5. Lunch: A Web3 consumer portal application that integrates an activity center and payment functions, aimed at lowering the barrier for users to enter Web3.

Initia is based on Apple's design philosophy, aiming to create a seamless, powerful, and highly adaptable Web3 infrastructure. By treating each Rollup as an application and providing flexible virtual machine options and core functional support, Initia effectively integrates decentralized blockchain projects, significantly lowering the user adoption threshold. This innovative concept may reshape the blockchain landscape in the Web3 era, positioning Initia as the "Apple system" of the field.